Turbine driven electrical generator

ABSTRACT

A turbine driven electrical driven generator set having one or more turbines positioned above the generator to provide a power source at locations where there is a minimum available floor space. An acoustical enclosure enclosing the turbine and generator and having air filters for filtering the generator cooling air and the intake air to the turbine. An air fan driven from the generator for cooling the generator and the oil in the turbine and the reduction gearing between the turbine and the generator through an air/oil heat exchanger. The air fan cooling the turbine after shutdown.

United States Patent 11 1 [111 3,791,682

Mitchell Feb. 12, 1974 [5 1 TURBINE DRIVEN ELECTRICAL 2,405,352 8/1946Giger 290/2 GENERATOR 3,208,217 9/1965 Sonder 60/3931 1,343,485 6/1920Shamberg 290/1 A [75] Invent r: Robert Mitchell, Houston, 2,390,95912/1945 Pfenninger 290 2 ux [73] Assignee: Stewart & Stevenson Services,Inc.,

Houston, Tex. Primary Examiner-G. R. Simmons Attorney, Agent, orFirmJefferson D. Giller; James [221 Ffledl 231 1972 F. Weiler; WilliamA. Stout [21] App]. No.: 283,217

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 290/2, 290/52, 290/1, A turbine drivenelectrical driven generator Set having 60/3931 one or more turbinespositioned above the generator [51] Int. Cl. F0ld 15/10 to provide apower Source at locations where there is [58] new of Search 60/3931;290/2 52 a minimum available floor space. An acoustical enclosureenclosing the turbine and generator and having [56] References Clted}air filters for filtering the generator cooling air and the UNITED TATESPATENT intake air to the turbine. An air.fan driven from the 3.418.48512/1968 Anderson et al. 290 52 generator r ling he generator and the oilin the 3,612,598 10/1971 Keslin 290/52 turbine and the reduction gearingbetween the turbine 2,443,054 6/1948 Putz et al 60/3931 and thegenerator through an air/oil heat exchanger. 2,511,85 9 an v 4 290/2 XThe air fan cooling the turbine after shutdown. 3,453,443 7/1969Stoeckly 290/2 3,638,421 2/1972 Chilman 60/3931 2 Claims, 10 DrawingFigures PATENTED FEB I 2 I974 SHEEI 2 OF 26 u. J L101 PMENTEB FEB 1 2I974 saw 3 0F 3 TURBINE DRIVEN ELECTRICAL GENERATOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The use of inline turbine driven generator sets is old. Thepresent invention is directed to various improvements in a turbinedriven electrical generator set that requires less floor space; has alow sound output level; provides an improved cooling system for thegenerator, turbine and gearing; and selectively allows the use of one ormoreturbines to obtain optimum specific fuel consumption.

SUMMARY The present invention is directed to a turbine driven electricalgenerator set in which one of the features is the provision ofpositioning one or more turbines above the generator and connected tothe generator by a vertical reduction gearing to provide a compact unitwhich requires a minimim of floor space as compared to inline units.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a turbinegenerator set having a low sound level output by enclosing the set in anacoustical enclosure having intake air filtering and silencing, and anexhaust silencer on the turbine output.

Another feature of the present invention is the improvement in a turbinegenerator set cooling system in which a fan is connected to thealternator to provide an adequate air flow for generator cooling andalso sufficient air flow through an air/oil heat exchanger for coolingthe turbine engine and gearing oil cooling. In addition, the fan may beused for cooling the turbine after shutdown when air is not flowingthrough the turbine by providing an openable passageway in communicationbetween the fan inlet and the turbine compartment.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent fromthe following description of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of thepresent invention with the side enclosures removed,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the outside of the enclosure of thepresent invention,

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 5 andshowing the access panels open,

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 5showing the access panels open,

FIG. 9 is an elevational view, partly in cross section, illustratinganother embodiment of the present invention shown in mobile form, and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l0-10 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,and particularly to FIGS. l-4, a gas turbine generator set is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 10 for providing an electrical powerplant in which the components are stacked to utilize a minimim of floorspace which is particularly desirable for applications such as a primemover for offshore drilling or production platforms and for other new orexisting facilities where floor space is at a premium. The set 10generally includes a turbine 12 for driving an electrical generator 14through vertical reduction gearing 16. Both the turbine 12 and thegenerator 14 are horizontally positioned, but the turbine 12 ispositioned through the vertical reduction gearing 16. In one embodimentof a 2,500 KW set, the set measured 14 feet long, 8 feet high and 6 feetwide, thereby requiring only approximately 40 percent of the floor spacenormally required for a unit of such size. In such embodiment theturbine 12 was a GM Detroit Diesel Allison Model 501K while thegenerator 14 was an Ideal 1,800 rpm, four pole, three phase 60 cycle,4,160 volt power alternator.

The reduction gearing 16 may include the necessary gearing for reductionfrom a turbine speed of l3,280 rpm to 1,800 rpm alternator speed. Anysuitable means for starting the turbine 12 may be provided such as anair starter 18.

The apparatus 10 is mounted on a steel base 20 within an acousticalenclosure 22 having suitable sound insulating panels to provide a lowsound level output. The enclosure 22 includes a partition 24 separatingthe turbine 12 and the generator 12 into separate compartments. Theenclosure 22 also includes a plurality of air filters 26 such asDonaldson filters for filtering the gas turbine combustion air and thegenerator 14 for cooling air as well as acting as a silencer for the airinlets. The air passes through the filters 26 into the turbine inlet 13and out the turbine exhaust 15 and also to the generator air inlet 17.Suitable access doors 32 are provided on the enclosure for access ofmaintenance and minor repairs.

The cooling system for the generator 14 utilizes a high efficiency airfoil type fan 28 driven directly from the exciter end of the generator14 to draw air through an inlet 17 to the generator 14 and exhaustingthe air out of the generator 14 at the same end of the apparatus 10 asthe exhaust 15 from the turbine 12. The cooling fan 28 not only providesadequate air flow for generator cooling, but provides an air flowthrough an air- /oil heat exchanger 30 in which the oil from the turbineengine 12 and the cooling oil from the reduction gearing 16 is connectedand cooled. The use of the fan 28 for cooling both the generator 14 andthe turbine and gear box oil is accomplished by sizing the inlet 17 tothe generator to insure that an adequate amount of cooling air will flowover the air/oil heat exchanger 30. In the 2,500 KW embodimentpreviously mentioned, a fan having a discharge of 31,000 cfm provided9,000 cfm air cooling for the generator 14 and 22,000 cfm of cooling airfor the exchanger 30.

When the set 12 is shut down, the cooling air through the turbine 12also stops. In order to provide cooling of the turbine 12 subsequent toshutdown, the partition 24 may include an openable passageway 34adjacent the inlet of the fan 28 which can be opened manually or bysuitable switching means on turbine shutdown. Normally, ventilating ofthe compartment of the turbine 12 for approximately 5 minutes after eachshutdown is sufficient to provide the desirable cooling. After shutdown,the fan 28 is driven by an electric motor 36 having a sprague clutchfrom a separate power supply (not shown) to provide the desired cooling.

Of course, other and further modifications of the present invention canbe made one of which is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 where like numerals areapplied to like parts shown in FIGS. 1-8 with the addition of the suffixa. The turbine generator 10a of FIGS. 9 and 10 is mobile, shown beingtrailer-mounted. In one specific embodiment providing 6,000 KW of powerthe trailer was sufficiently compact to meet the ICC dimensional limitswith an overall length of 40 feet, width of 8 feet, and overall heightof 13 feet 2 inches. In this embodiment, two turbines 12a were provided,both of which were stacked above the generator 14a and connected to thegenerator 14a through gearing 16a. The dual turbine engines 12a areadvantageous in that during periods of light loading only one of theturbine engines 12a need be operated, thus allowing the set 10a todeliver optimum specific fuel consumption. An electric starting motor 40is provided for. starting each of the turbine motors 12a individuallythrough a torque converter 42, and separate clutches 44 are provided forconnecting each of the turbines 12a to the gearing 16a.

In addition, a turbine exhaust silencer 46 may be provided adjacent theexhaust from the turbines 12a for reducing the noise level of the unit10a. If desired, the silencer 46 may be pivotally connected about point48 and raised by suitable controls to the dotted position for directingthe turbine exhaust vertically.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to obtain the ends andadvantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention are given for the purpose ofdisclosure, numerous changes in the details of construction andarrangement of parts may be made which are within the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A turbine driven electrical generator set comprising,

an electrical generator horizontally positioned,

a turbine horizontally positioned above and on top of the generator,

vertical reduction gearing connected between the turbine and thegenerator,

an acoustical enclosure enclosing the turbine and the generatorincluding air filters for filtering the generator cooling air and theintake air to the turbine,

an air fan conn=.-u'.ed to and driven from the generator,

auxiliary power means to drive fan after turbine shutdown,

an enclosure enclosing the turbine and the generator including apartition between the turbine and the generator, said partitionincluding an openable passageway in communication with the fan inlet forbeing opened for cooling the turbine after shutdown.

2. A turbine driven electrical generator set comprising,

an electrical generator horizontally positioned,

a turbine horizontally positioned above and on top of the generator,

vertical reduction gearing connected between the turbine and thegenerator,

an air fan connected to and driven from the generator for drawingcooling air through the generator,

an air/oil heat exchanger having an air inlet and air outlet andconnected to the oil in the turbine and the reduction gearing, andpositioned with the exchanger air outlet adjacent the air fan inlet forair cooling the exchanger, the exchanger air inlet positioned to receivecooling air separate from the cooling air passing through the generator,and

an acoustical enclosure enclosing the turbine, the

generator, and the heat exchanger including air filters for filteringthe generator cooling air, the air intake to the turbine, and thecooling air to the exchanger air inlet.

1. A turbine driven electrical generator set comprising, an electricalgenerator horizontally positioned, a turbine horizontally positionedabove and on top of the generator, vertical reduction gearing connectedbetween the turbine and the generator, an acoustical enclosure enclosingthe turbine and the generator including air filters for filtering thegenerator cooling air and the intake air to the turbine, an air fanconnected to and driven from the generator, auxiliary power means todrive fan after turbine shutdown, an enclosure enclosing the turbine andthe generator including a partition between the turbine and thegenerator, said partition including an openable passageway incommunication with the fan inlet for being opened for cooling theturbine after shutdown.
 2. A turbine driven electrical generator setcomprising, an electrical generator horizontally positioned, a turbinehorizontally positioned above and on top of the generator, verticalreduction gearing connected between the turbine and the generator, anair fan connected to and driven from the generator for drawing coolingair through the generator, an air/oil heat exchanger having an air inletand air outlet and connected to the oil in the turbine and the reductiongearing, and positioned with the exchanger air outlet adjacent the airfan inlet for air cooling the exchanger, the exchanger air inletpositioned to receive cooling air separate from the cooling air passingthrough the generator, and an acoustical enclosure enclosing theturbine, the generator, and the heat exchanger including air filters forfiltering the generator cooling air, the air intake to the turbine, andthe cooling air to the exchanger air inlet.